Control system



Feb

. 11 1936. F. B. POWERS El AL ,0

CONTROL sYsTpm Filed Jun 9, 19:54

INVENTORS Frank 5. Power; 3

Patented Fa... 1 1, i936 j orrice CONTROL SYSTEM Frank B, Powers,

Forest Hills, and Charles C.

Whittaker, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignors to Westinghouse Electric 8; Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application June 9, 1934, Serial 'No. 729,808

9 Claims. (01. 112-179 Our invention relates, generally, to control systems, and, more particularly, to systems for controlling the operation of electric locomotives or other electrically-propelledvehicles. In order that full use may be made of the power which the motors on a locomotive are capable of developing it is necessary to be able to operate at all times at a load close to that corresponding to the point at which the overload-protection apparatus is set; However, it is important that the load current drawn by the motors should not be permitted to exceed the .overload setting, which would result in the tripping of the protective apparatus and the motors from the power source.

It will be understood that it is difiicult for an operator to so control the acceleration and operation of a locomotive that the motors will be operated at their maximum capacity at all times without exceeding thiscapacity, which results in the tripping of the overload-protection apparatus. Automatic accelerating systems have been devised in which the acceleration 'of a locomotive, or

. a. locomotive I larly one propelled other electrically-propelled vehicle, is automatically controlled by a current limit relay, or similar apparatus. However, it is impossible to operate at its maximum power at all times with previously known automatic control systems, as the motors cannot be consistentlyoperated at maximum torque grade and adhesion conditions.

Also, in order to operatea' locomotive, particuby single-phase motors, most eillciently at high speeds, a constant horsepower characteristic should be followed instead of a constant current characteristic, as was the case with automatic accelerating by current limit relays.

It is necessary toregulate an alternating current motor for constant wattage or horsepower instead of constant current in. orderto operate efliciently at high speeds since the iron losses in the motor increase with the speed of operation,

thereby making it'necessary to' decrease the cur: rent in the motor at high speeds below the value that can be safely maintained at'low speeds without overheating the motor. The losses in. a motor resulting in heat which must be dissipated includeboth theI R. loss and the iron loss; accordingly, when the iron loss is high, as at high speeds, the current must be reduced in order to .reduce the FR loss to keep the total loss within a safe limit. Previously known automatic accelcrating systems are. therefore, undesirable in horsepower output from the disconnection of because of changing systems controlled that they operate the motors on a constantv current characteristic.

An object of our invention, generally stated, is s to provide a system for automatically controlling the operation of an electrically-propelled vehicle which shall be simple and efficient in operation and which may be economically manufactured and installed.

.A more specific object of our invention is to provide for maintaining a substantially constant the propelling motors of an electric vehicle.

Another object of our invention-is to provide a control system for operating the propelling mo-' tors of an electric vehicle at their rated power output without exceeding a predetermined power rating.

Other objects of our invention will be either explained fully hereinafter, or will be apparent to those skilled in the art. V

According to the preferred embodiment -of our invention the operation of the propelling motors of an electric vehicle is automatically controlled advanced and retracted step-by step under the control of two limit relays of the wattmetar type, which cause themotors to operate 0 ei onstant horsepower characteristic. v

by a double-acting sequence drum that is both For a fuller understanding of the nature and k objects of our invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a. diagrammatic view of a locomotive control system embodying our invention. V

Referring now to the drawing, a motor I0 is utilized for propelling an electric locomotive, or vehicle (not shown). The motor Ill may be of any typesuitable for railway service, the one shown being of the single-phase alternatingcurient type, having an armature winding II and a series fleldwinding i2. Power for operating the motor III is supplied froma transformer I3,

having a primary winding and a secondary winding i 5. The transformer may be energized from a power conductor 16 through a pantograph collector I'l.

, In accordance with the usual practice in alterhating-current railway systems,;the motor In may be accelerated by increasing the voltage applied to the motor, step-.by-step, by successively con necting the motor to taps 2| to 26, inclusive,'provided on the secondary winding l5 of the transformer I3. A plurality of accelerating switches 2'! to 32, inclusive, are provided for connecting the motor to the transformer taps. A preventive coil 33 is utilized for preventing the short circuiting of the transformer winding'during the switching operations, in a manner well known in the art.

A line switch 34 is provided for connecting the motor I9 to the power source and a master controller 35 controls the operation of the line switch '34 and a sequence drum 38. The operation of the accelerating switches 21 to 32 is controlled by the sequence drum 36. A battery 31 provides energy for operating the control apparatus utilized in the system.

In order that the sequence drum 35 may be both advanced and retracted step-by-step, two notchingmechanisms 38 and 39 are provided. The notching mechanisms 38 and 39 are of the type disclosed and claimed in the copending application of L. G. Riley, Serial No. 700,330, filed November 29, 1933, now Patent No. 1,987,709.

Inasmuch as the notching mechanisms are fully described inthe foregoing application, it is believed to be unnecessary to describe them in detail in this application. Briefly, the mechanism 38 comprises a fluid-actuated piston 4|,disposed inside ofv a cylinder 42, a magnet valve 43 for controlling the operation of the piston'4 an electro-magnet 44 and a pawl 45, both mounted on a frame 48 carried by the piston 4|. When the magnet 44 is energized, the pawl45engages one.

of the teeth on a rack 41, which is disposed to drive the sequence drum 35 ,The frame 46 is' actuated back and forth as the piston 4| operates in the air cylinder 42, therefore, the drum 35 may be advanced step-by-step by energizing the magnet 44, to cause the pawl 45 to engage the rack 41 and then admitting the pressure fluid to the cylinder 42 to operate the piston 4|. A repeater switch 48 is operated at the end of each stroke of the piston 4| to deenergizethe magnet 44 and the magnet valve 43, thereby permitting the piston 4| to be returned by a spring 49 located in the cylinder 42. I g

In order to quickly return the rack 41 and the drum 39to the position shown in the drawing after it has been notched step-by-step to any desired position, one end of the rack 41 is attached to a piston 5|, disposed in a fluid-pressure a cylinder 52.

The operation of the piston'5l is controlled by a magnet valve 53, whichadmits a pressure fluid to the cylinder '52 when the magnet valve is deenergized.

As shown, the notching mechanism 39, which is similar to the mechanism 39, is disposed to retract the sequence drum 38 step-by-step. The

mechanism 39 comprises a piston 54 disposed in a and B1 are provided for controlling the operation 0f the. sequence drum 36, which, in turn, controls the operation of the accelerating switches 21 to 32; inclusive. The relays 66 and 31 are provided with current coils 68 and 69, respectively, which are energized by a current transformer 1| conpreviously nected in the motor circuit. The relays and 81 are also provided with voltage coils 12 and 18, respectively, which are connected across the motor l9, thereby being energized in accordance with the voltage, and consequently, the speed ofthe motor. The relays may be so designed that above a predetermined motor voltage, they will function as kilowatt, or horsepower, limit relays instead of current limit relays, thereby regulating for a constant horsepower instead'of a constant current.

The relay .65 is so constructed and connected in the control system that it will operate to stop further progression of the sequence drum 39 at a predetermined power setting, and the relay 51 is so constructed that it will cause the sequence drum to be retractedif change in grade conditions cause the power required of the motor to be increased further, thereby preventing the motor from being operated above its rated capacity; The relay 88 is provided with contact members 14 and the relay 61 with contact members 16 and 11, which function to control the sequence drum '35, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

'A slip orbver-speed'relay 18 may be connected across the armature ll of the motor l9, as shown. The Prelay 19 functions to cause the sequence drum 38 to be notched back in the event that the wheels driven by the motor slip or if the motor operates at an excessive speed for any other reason. It will be understood that notching back or retracting the sequence drum operates the tapchanging switches 21 to 32, to decrease the voltage applied to the motor, thereby reducing its speed.

In order that the functioningof the foregoing apparatus may be better understood, the operation of the system will now be described. Assummaster controller 35 may be actuated to position d, thereby closing the line switch 34. The en- A ergizing circuit for the actuating coil of the line switch 34 may be traced from the positive terminal of the battery 31 through conductor 8|, contact fingers 82 and 83 bridged by a contact segment 84 of the master controller 35, conduc' tor 85, conductor 86, the actuating coil of the line switch 34 and conductors 81 and 88 to the negative terminal of the battery 31.

At this time an energizing circuit is also established for the actuating coil of the accelerating switch 21. This circuit. may .be traced from the energized conductor 85 through contact fingers 9| and 92 bridged by a contact segment 93 of the sequence switch 36, conductor 99, the actuating coil of the switch 21 and conductor 88 to the negative terminal of the battery 31.

The closing of the switches 34 and 21 connects the motor mm the secondary winding l5, of the transformer l3, through a circuit which extends from the terminal 2| of the transformer l3 through the switch 21, conductor 94, a portion of the preventive coil winding 33, conductor 95, field winding l2, and the armature winding ll of the motor Ill, conductor 96, contact members 91 of the switch 34 and conductor 98 to the secondary winding |5 of the transformer l3.

When the controller 35 is on position fd", the notching mechanism 38 is energized to advance the sequence switch 36 step-by-step under-the control of the limit relays SGand 61 to'accelerat'e the motor ID, the electro-magnet 44 and the mag net valve 43 being energized when the controller 35 is on position 41". The circuit for the electromagnet 44 may be traced from a contact finger 93, which engages the contact segment 34, through conductor IUI, the contact members I4 of the limit relay 66, conductor I02, the contact members 1601' the limit relay 61, conductor I03, contact members Hi4 oi the overspeed relay I8, conductor I05, contacts on repeater switch 43, conductor'IDIi. the coil of the magnet 44 and conductors I01,- I08, I09 and B8 to the negative terminal of the battery 31.

As described hereinbefore, the pawl '45 isactuated to engage the teeth of the rack 41 when the magnet 44 is energized. Energizingthe magnet 44 also closes the interlock switch 62 to establish an energizing circuit for the actuating coil This circuit may be traced from the previously'energized conductor I06 through conductor I ID, the interlock switch 62, conductor III, the coil of the magnet valve 43, conductor II2, the interlock 65 on the notching mechanism 39. conductors H3. H4 and 68 to c the negative terminal of the battery 31.

, the contact segment 93, through conductor H6,

the coil of the switch 28 and conductor 88 to the battery 31. The closing of the switch 28 connects the terminal 22 of the transformer winding I5, to conductor I I1 and the preventive coil 33, thereby increasing the voltage applied to the motor III in a manner well known ill the art.

As previously described, the repeater switch 48 is actuated at theend of each stroke of the piston M to deenergize the electro-magnet 44 and the magnet valve 43, thereby permitting the notching mechanism to be returned to the position shown in the drawing in order that the sequencedrum 36 may be actuated another step. In this manner the sequence drum 36 is actuated step-by-step through positions 3, 4, 5 and 6 to energize the conductors I2I, I22, I23 and I24, thereby closing the switchesis, 36. 3| and 32 to further increase the voltage applied to the motor I0, which will causethe motor to be accelerated.

However, the acceleration of the motor. is at all times under the control of the limit relay 66, which is responsive to the power supplied to the motor since the relay is provided with a current coil 68 and a voltage coil I2, previously described.

In-the event that the power exceeds the setting of the relay 66, its contact members 14 are opened to interrupt the energizing c'rcuit for the notching mechanism 36, thereby stopping the opera tion of the sequence drum 38 which prevents any further increase in the voltage applied to the motor Ill until the current in the motor circuit is reduced to a value whichwill permit the contact members 14 of the limit relay 66 to close.

As described hereinbefore, the operationof the slip or overspeed relay 18, which is connected across the armature of the motor I I and is therefore responsive to its counter electro-motiveforce, which in turn is proportional to the speed of the motor, will also stop the operation 01' the notching mechanism 38, as the opening of the contact members I34 of the relay I8 also interrupts the energizing circuit for the notching mechanism 38. In this. manner excessive speed and slipping of the wheels driven by the motor I0 are prevented.

It desired, the operator may stop the operation of the notching-mechanism 36 at any time during the accelerating period by actuating thr controller. 35 to position 0", the'reby'deenergizing the circuits through the electro-magnet 44 ant the magnet valve 43. However, these units arc not deenergized until the piston 4| has completec the stroke then in progress, thereby assuring tha1 the'sequence drum 36 will not be stopped on a mid-position. As shown, the conductor IIO which controls the energization of the magnet valve 43 and the electro magnet 44 through circuits previously traced, 'is kept energized through a circuit which extends from a contact finger I25 of the controller 35, through conductor I26, at interlock I21 on the line switch 34, conductor I25 and contact fingers I29 and I3I, which are bridged by one of the contact segments I32 while the sequence drum 36 is moving from one positior to the next, thereby preventing the sequence drumirom being stopped between positions.

As described he'reinbefore. the sequence drurr 36 may be retracted, step-by-step. in order to reduce the voltage applied to the motor II). If ii is desired to lower the motor voltage the master controller 35 may be actuated to position (1" which deenergizes the notching mechanism 38 and energizes themechanism 39. When the controller 35 is on position "a". an energizing circuit is established for the electro-magnet 5! which may be traced from .a contact finger I 33 which engages the segment 84. through conductor I34, the repeater switch GI, conductor I35 the coil of the magnet 59 and conductors H4 and 88 to the negative terminal of the battery 31 At this time the actuating coil of the magnet valve 56 is energized through a circuit which extends from the previously energized conductor I35 through the coil of the magnet valve 56 conductor I36, the interlock switch 64. which is closed when the magnet 59 is energized. conductor I31. the interlock switch 63. which is closed when the magnet 44 of the notching mechanism 38 is deenergize'd and conductors I03 and 88 tc the negative terminal of the battery 31. In this. manner the sequence drum 35 may be retracted step-by-step by retaining the controller 35 on position a".

If desired, the operator may stop the retraction of the sequence drum 36 and retain it on any desired position by moving the controller 35 to position b. which deenerglzes the magnet valve 56 and the electro-magnet 59. However. the piston 54 will complete the stroke then in progress before the mechanism is deenergized, since the conductor I35 is kept energized through a circuit' which extends from a contact finger I38 on the controller 35, through conductor I33 and contact fingers HI. and I42. which are bridged by any one of the contact segments I43 while the sequence drum 36 is moving from one position to the next, thereby preventing the sequence drum from being stopped-between positions As described hereinbefore, provision is also made for automatically retracting the sequence switch 36 at any time during the operation at the motor I!) in the event that the power supplied the motor I0 exceeds a predetermined limit. The automatic retraction ofthe sequence drum 36 is produced by the operation of the limit relay 61.

As shown, the contact members 11 of the relay 61 will be closed to energize the conductor in the event that the power supplied the motor II) becomes sufllcient to operate tharelay 61, because of changing grade or load conditions. When the contact members II are closed, the conductor I34 is energized through a circuit which extends from the previously energized conductor 3| through conductor I44 and the contact members II to conductor I34. As previously described, the energization of the conductor I34 causes the notching mechanism 33 to retract the sequence switch I 36 in the manner herein described.

The operation of the relay I3 as a result of overspeed or slip conditions will also cause the notching mechanism 39 to retract the sequence drum 36. In the event that the relay I8 is raised to its upper-most position, its contact members I45 establish a circuit for energizing the conductor I34, thereby operating the notching mechanism 39. This circuit may be traced from the previously energized conductor I44 through the contact members I45 and conductor I46 to the conductor I34. 4

Provision is also made for quickly returning the sequence drum 35 to position I in case the master controller 35 is actuated to the 01? position to disconnectthe motor II! from the power source,

or in theevent that the line switch 34 is automatically opened by the operation of an overload-trip device (not shown) in a manner well known in the art. The magnet valve 53 is o! a type which admits the pressure fluid to'the cylinder 52 to operate the pistonI when the actuating coil of the valve is deenergized. It will be noted that the magnet valve 53 is energized when the master controller 35 is operated to close the line switch 34. The energizing circuit may be traced from the conductor 85 through 0011- ductor I41, and interlock I48 on the line switch I34, conductor I49, theactuating coil 01' the magnet valve 53 and conductors I31, I08; I03 and 88 to the negative terminal of the battery 8|. Accordingly the magnet valve '53 is ,energized while the line switch 34 remains closed and the pressure fluid is not admit 'd to the cylinder 52.

However, in the event-th t the line switch 34 is opened the magnet valve 53 is deenergized and the presure fluid is readily admitted to the cylinder 52 which causes the piston 5I to quickly repower characteristic. We have also provided for operating the motors at their normal power rating without permitting it to be exceeded as ,a result of changing grade or load conditions, which results in increased efliciency of operation. Furthermore, we have provided for automatically correcting for over-voltage and over-speed con ditions, thereby preventing injury to the equipment on the locomotive.

We do not desire to be restricted to the specific embodiment of, the invention herein shown and described, since it is evident that it may be changed and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention: I V

1. In a motor control system, in combination, a motor, a source of power for the motor, means for automatically increasing the voltage applied to the motor step-by-step to accelerate the motor, means for automatically decreasing said applied voltage step-by-step, and means responsive to the power supplied to the motor for controlling the operation of said voltage applying means.

2. In a motor control system, in combination, a motor, a source of power for the motor, switching means for varying the voltage applied to the motor, means for automatically controlling the operation of said switching means, means 'for operating said controlling means to cause the voltage applied to the motor to be both increased and decreased step-by-step, and means responsive to the power supplied to the motor for governing the operation of said operating means.

3. In a motor control system, in combination, a motor, a source of power for the motor, switching means for carying the voltage applied to the motor, a sequence drum for automatically controlling the operation of said switching means, means for both advancing and retracting the sequence drum notch-by-notch to cause the voltage.

applied to the motor to be increased or decreased step-by-step, and relay means responsive to the current and the voltage supplied to the motor for governing the operation of the sequence drum.

4.- In a motor control system, in combination, a motor, a source of power for the motor, switching means for varying the voltage applied to the motor, a sequence drum for automatically controlling the operation of said switching means, means for both advancing and retracting the sequence drum notch-by-notch to cause the voltage applied to the motor to be increased or decreased step-by-step, and means responsive to the power supplied to the motor for governing the operation of the sequence drum.

5. In a motor control system, in combination, a motor, a source of power for the motor, switching means for varying, the voltage applied: to the motor, a sequence drum for automatically controlling the operation of said switching means, a notching mechanism for advancing the sequence drum, a notching mechanism for retracting the sequence drum, and relay means re-- sponsive to the power supplied to the motor for governing the operation of the sequence drum. 6. In a motor control system, in combination,

- a motor, a source of power for the motor, switchingineans for varying the voltage applied to the motor, a sequence drum for automatically controlling the operation of said switching means, a notching mechanism for advancing the sequence drum, a notching mechanism for retracting the sequence drum, interlocking means tor controlling the operation of the notching mechanisms, and relay means responsive to the power supplied to the motor for governing the operation or the sequence drum. v

7. In a motor control system, in combination. a motor, a source of power for the motor, switching means for varying the voltage applied to the motor, a sequence drum for automatically controlling the operation oi! said switching means, a notching mechanism for advancing the sequence drum step-by-step, a relay responsive to the power supplied to the motor for controlling the operation of said notching mechanism, a second notching mechanism for retracting the sequence drum step-by-step, and a second relay responsive to the power supplied to the motor for controlling the operation or the second notching mechanism 8. In a motor control system, in combination, a motor, a source of power for the motor, switchin means tor'varyingthe voltage applied to the motor, a sequence drum for automatically controlling the operation of said switching means. a notching mechanism for advancing the sequence drum step-by-step, a relay responsive to the power supplied to the motor for controlling the operation of said notching mechanism. a second notching mechanism for retracting the sequence drum step-by-step, a second relay responsive to the power supplied to the motor for controlling the operation of the second notching mechanism, and interlocking means actuated by the notching mechanism for preventing conflictlng operation of said mechanisms.

9. In a motor control system, in combination, a motor, a source or power for the motor, switching means for varying the voltage applied to the motor, asequence drum for automatically controlling the operation of said switching means,

a notching mechanism for advancing the sequence drum step-by-step, a relay responsive to the power supplied to the motor for controlling the oper tion of said notching mechanism, a second ndtchihg mechanism for retracting the sequence step-by-step, a second relay responsive to the power supplied to the motor for controlling the operation of the second hatching mechanism, and a relay responsive to the counterelectromotive force of the motor for controlling the operation of both of said notching mechanisms. 4

FRANK B. POWERS. CHARLES C. WHI'I'IAKER.

DISCLAIMER 2,030,119.-Frank B. P0wers,Forest Hills, and Charles C. Whittaker, Pittsburgh, Pa. CONTROL SYSTEM. Patent dated February 11, 1936. Disclaimer filed April 14, 1937, by the assignee, Westinghouse Electric d: Manufacturing Company. Hereb enters this disclaimer to claims 1 b0 6, inclusive, of the specification,

[Jflim'al Gazette May 11, 1987.] 

